MIRNEWS.323 18 AUGUST1996 Soyuz-TM24 successfully launched for flight to MIR: The S-TM24 has been launched with the carrier Soyuz-U from Baykonur on 17.08.1996 at 13.18.03UTC. S-TM24 reached the planned orbit without problems and all systems worked well. Already during the pass in the 2d orbit the ship came in our range (1620-1623UTC) and radiosignals could be monitored. Korzun, commander of this 22 Main Expedition, who makes his first flight, reported that they had moved from the SA (landing- apparatus) into the BO (lifecompartment) and that they had put off their spacesuits. The crew made preparations for the 1st orbitcorrection which was planned for 16.57.43UTC. During the pass in the 3d orb. (1749-1756UTC) the 2d orbitcorrection was accomplished: 175021UTC. Korzun reported the good performance of these operations during this pass. During the 4th orbit (1923-1930UTC) again a lot of radiotraffic. 2 times the TCA's (Time Closest Approach) could be determined monitoring the Dopplershift on 922.755 mc: 3d orb. at 175222UTC and 4th orb. 192520UTC. In the morning of 18.08.1996 Flight control confirmed that all crewmembers were in a good health and mood. Due to the use of the carrier Soyuz-U instead of the more powerful Soyuz-U2 the Russians had to reduce the mass of crew and material. So they refrained from the use of Kurs, the device for automatic approach and docking. This means that Korzun will have to approach and dock in the manual mode. The docking is on schedule for 19.09.1996 at 1449UTC. During the final phase of the docking operation both objects are within our range. (MIR's orb. 59981, 1437-1443UTC) and radiotraffic about this operation might be possible on the MIR and S-TM24 frequencies. Progress-M32: This freighter separated from MIR on 18.08.1996 at 0934UTC. The autonomous flight of the Pr-M32 will last until 3.09.1996. Soyuz-TM23: Return to earth of relieved crew of ME 21 (Onufriyenko and Usachov) and Claudie Andre-Deshays with the S-TM23 has been put back until 2.09.1996. Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.